Prof. U. G. Samudrika Wijayapala
University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Professor U. G. Samudrika Wijayapala is a senior academic and researcher in Textile and
Apparel Engineering at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. She holds a PhD in Textiles
Engineering and is a Chartered Engineer, with an academic career spanning more than 30 years.
Her research portfolio is strongly aligned with sustainable and functional textile innovations,
with significant contributions in natural dye development, green processing technologies, and
value-added textile applications. Her scholarly work includes numerous peer-reviewed
journal publications, books, book chapters and international conference contributions,
particularly in advancing eco-friendly solutions for the textile industry.
Professor Wijayapala has received multiple Awards of Excellence with Distinction for
outstanding research performance over several consecutive years. She has also held key
academic leadership positions, including Head of the Department of Textile and Apparel
Engineering, and has contributed extensively to national policy, curriculum development, and
industry capacity-building initiatives.
With extensive academic and industry engagement spanning over two decades, she currently
serves as a Professor and has previously held the position of Head of the Department. Her
contributions extend to national-level initiatives, including serving as a Board Member of the
Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel (SLITA) and participating in policy and standards
development through institutions such as NAITA, SLSI, and the Central Environmental
Authority. Her work exemplifies interdisciplinary integration across engineering,
environmental science, and societal development, making her a strong advocate for global
collaboration in addressing contemporary industrial and sustainability challenges.
